Friday, July 9, 2010

New Painting

"I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.
And there will keep you forever
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And molder in dust away!"

an excerpt from The Children's Hour

by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



Two Bleeding Hearts : Undying Love
Watercolor
10.5" x 14"

I've recently finished the above painting for an open watercolor show in New England. The painting is of two flowers appropriately called Bleeding Hearts. This plant bears heart- shaped flowers, from which a little "drop of blood" dangles at the bottom, and are often a symbol of undying love.
Working on this painting was a bit of a challenge because it had to be done in strictly aqua media and I hadn't done a full watercolor painting since college. In my other work I like to get it to a point in watercolor or acrylics and then noodle away with my colored pencils to finish it. I'm not crazy about the painting but I figured if it doesn't get accepted into the show, I will have to get my colored pencils out and finish it until I'm happy.
Below is a photograph of me working on the painting at what seems to be my most productive hour, late at night when everyone is fast asleep. It's my quiet time to spend under the peaceful light of my desk lamp with music in my ears; no distractions; and nothing else to concentrate on but my painting. :)



Thursday, July 8, 2010

Drawing pad in stores :)



It was a good feeling to walk into A.C. Moore today and see my artwork among all the art pads! I was told that they wouldn't be in stores until fall. After hearing from a friend that she had seen one in Massachusetts I wondered if they were in more stores. I'm not sure if they are in all art stores yet, but they are in A.C. Moore :)